Sarasota-Manatee Originals Reinvent Annual 'Set The Bar' Competition

Good Bite

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals have released details of their 2020 Set The Bar Cocktail Week planned for October 12 - 18. In light of the current climate, representatives of the organization have replaced the large-scale, one-night cocktail competition and grazing event of prior years with seven days (and nights) of specially-curated, controlled experiences in restaurants located across the two Gulf-coastal counties and online. The new format continues to showcase the enormous creative beverage talents behind the region’s best eateries with safety and physical-distancing being paramount. 

For the past three years the Sarasota-Manatee Originals have brought together the area’s best bartenders, distillers and other bar and spirits professionals for their annual Set The Bar party, with over 400 in attendance last year at Universal Flight Training Hangar. “The bar program is a highly integral part of the health and innovation of today’s Restaurant Industry,” states Sarasota-Manatee Originals’ Executive Director Sarah Firstenberger. “Like the Chefs in the kitchen, our bartenders are driving the guest experience, delighting guests with thoughtful and creative cocktails and perfect pairings. Set the Bar was created as a playful platform to spotlight their enormous contributions and we are thrilled to expand the one-time event into a week-long celebration.” 

The 2020 Set The Bar Cocktail Week will feature a varied and robust menu of special offerings from Sarasota-Manatee Originals’ Member Restaurants including limited-time house specialties, discounted drink offers, ready-to-drink to-go batch beverages, signature cocktail and food pairings, cocktail tasting events and dinners, and virtual and in-person mixology classes. The Sarasota-Manatee Originals consist of over 60 independent restaurants from the northern tip of Anna Maria Island to the southern beaches of Venice and every neighborhood in between. 

Offerings and prices vary from location to location. All details including a list of participating restaurants can be found on the Originals’ website found here. Questions can be directed to Sarasota-Manatee Originals’ Event and Community Outreach Director Veronica Clinton at (941) 365- 2800 or by email at veronica@dineoriginal.com. 

Photo courtesy of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals

« View The Tuesday Sep 29, 2020 SRQ Daily Edition
« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

Read More

Set the Bar to Shake up April

Set the Bar to Shake up April

Laura Paquette | Mar 28, 2024

Calling All Cookie Monsters

Calling All Cookie Monsters

Laura Paquette | Mar 26, 2024

 Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar serves up the Freshest Seafood and Crab Legs for Easter

Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar serves up the Freshest Seafood and Crab Legs for Easter

Mar 19, 2024

 Daiquiri Deck Unveils Refreshed Menu with Burger Challenge and Over 15 New Items

Daiquiri Deck Unveils Refreshed Menu with Burger Challenge and Over 15 New Items

Mar 19, 2024